I just received my hedman 68198 BB 1 3/4 headers. the gasket they supplied are the cheap paper gaskets they bent in half to package them. They are round about 1.7 inches in dia. Smaller than the header flange port that is 1.86 across. The flange shape is square with rounded corners with a raised bead around them.Looking for gasket help. Thanks for any help, please!

Mr Gasket Copper.

Bob I purchased a set today both the square and the round both to big for the header port raised bead. But thanks for the fast reply!

Roger. OORAH

i have the exact same problem, bought the "round" gaskets and the header tube bead will end up hitting the head... the old gaskets i had were the PERFECT shape, and were a paper material but 1/8th" think!!! they never leaked but are pretty much worn out, and i can't find a mfg. or part # anywhere on em... what people forget is the header tube sticks out about 1/16" or so inward of the flange, those other gaskets cover some of it but not all..... if i find a set that works, i'll post the part #.... i may end up using my old ones..

Look at the Mr Gasket "Ultra-Seal", or the Fel-Pro ones.

Gasket material that hangs into the actual flow of the exhaust won't survive long. I wouldn't worry about the hole being too small. It will take care of itslf.

The copper ones are better on headers that don't have the "bead" thing at the end of ther tubes, or if they match fit the "bead" perfectly, which is rare.

Whatever you use, re-tighten ALL the bolts after a couple or 3 heat/cool cycles; NO EXCUSES for leaving one or 2 of them loose.

Ended up using Earl's Oilite gaskets. I think the old alum heads do alot of moving around during heating/cooling cycles. However, my point simply is, gasket match the gasket to the ports. It's rather easy with the Earl's oilite inserts, but an x-acto knife and those paper ones would be simple. Supposed to soak 'em before you mount them. Coppers should be relatively easy to trim as well.

I've had good luck with the Napa Nitroseal gaskets. They have alot of different port designs, go down there with your header port dimensions and have someone look in the book with you.

The gaskets should match the headers.If they're round tubes at the flange,use round gaskets.I've had great results,and no failures,with Mr. Gasket Ultra Seals. Steve

BINGO, the mr gasket ultra-seal makes the perfect fit squar-ish one you'll need, i just installed a set smile.gif